Fishes (Pisces). j j -j 



to twigs, and when the Nerophis coil their tails round these 

 leaves holding their bodies stiffly stretched out, it is almost im- 

 possible to distinguish them from the leaves themselves — until 

 one suddenly discovers that such a tuft of sea-grass is made up 

 of more Pipe-fish than leaves. The male Pipe-fish also looks after 

 the brood of young. 



The freely swimmingfishto which we shall now turn 

 contain most of the well-known sea fish. They pass most of their 

 life floating or swimming, and thus prove that they have a complete 

 mastery over the element in which they live. But a number of 

 them also frequent the coasts, from habit or in search of food; 

 while others swim about to greater distances, or may, like the 

 pelagic fish, become independent of coast and sea-bottom and 

 live in the open water. 



We shall first treat of those kinds which frequent the coasts, 

 beginning with the Labroida, characterized by their large protrus- 

 ible lips and conspicuous by their briUiant colouring. The brightly 

 coloured Wrasse, Labrus (figs. 37 and 39), and the Peacock-wrasse, 

 Crenilabrus (fig. 38), belong to this group; they swim about with 

 a curious jerking motion. The gaily coloured Labrus festivus 

 is interesting on account of the close watch the jealous male animal 

 keeps over its brood. One male of an allied species, L. tardus, 

 lived in the Aquarium for over 15 years. During the whole time 

 he showed himself to be the tireless courtier of all females in the 

 tank, both of his own and other species, and knew how to put to 

 flight all rivals. The small Julis pavo and Coris vulgaris (figs. 156 

 and 157) are graceful and brilliant fishes darting about the tank. 

 They are possessed of intense curiosity and great greediness, 

 devouring instantly anything that is thrown to them. They are 

 very sensitive to the cold, and retire into the sand at night ; so that 

 on a nocturnal visit to the tank only their heads can be seen pro- 

 truding from the sandy bed. In cold wintry weather, they remain 

 in the sand all day, and always take refuge there when alarmed. 

 — The larger species of Labrus and Crenilabrus may often be seen 

 resting at the bottom of the tank leaning against a rock or stone, 

 reminding one of the ground-loving fish. 



Nearly alhed is Xyrichthys (fig. 155), which behaves exactly 

 hke Coris, and the small Heliases (fig. 32), troops of which play 

 about on all steep coasts. 



In sharp contrast to these lively fishes are the phlegmatic 

 Sea-perches, the largest and most easily kept of which is the 

 Serranus gigas (fig. 56). It loves to remain for hours on the same 

 spot, generally where the water enters the tank, sometimes in an 

 upright position with widely opened mouth and gill-cover, seem- 

 ing to enjoy the stream of freshly aerated water which passes 

 through its gills. When alarmed it takes refuge under some arch 



